FourFans

Rocker: "2" Learning to fly the plane from the left seat = Good Not learning a damn thing about being a co-pilot for tac missions = Piss Poor FPs are not even taught how to LOAD secures, much less use them. Basically at initial inprocessing at the new squadron...FPs are righteously right seat retarded.

Bender: It's like trying to explain skydiving to someone who hasn't, or describing the thrill of your first solo ride to someone who's never flown, or explaining the "driving the boat" in Guam to your wife. These are things you simply cannot do. If you were there, you get it, and if you didn't go, you won't understand...so stop trying. EDIT: It's good to hear recognition is coming back...now if we could only bring meaning back to the prop'n wings... [ 12. March 2006, 09:13: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

To the wives

Sorry to say it guys, but I can't take credit for that shot. I was just looking for a puke pic and found it in this thread. Still a great picture though!

Some zoomies here might recall what the leading edge of the wing on a big yellow glider looks like after impacting a PTWOB chute deployment bag... [ 10. January 2006, 09:19: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

December 12, 2005 Fresh squad, fresh wings Special operations unit takes on intratheater mission in new plane https://www.airforcetimes.com/print.php?f=0...PER-1383079.php By Bruce Rolfsen Times staff writer A new special operations squadron is in the air and with a new plane. The 319th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., is flying a one-of-a-kind airplane for the Air Force, the U-28A, a militarized version of the civilian Pilatus PC-12. The squadron’s primary mission is intratheater transport of small numbers of special operations troops and gear, said the unit’s commander, Lt. Col. Michael D’Argenio. The decision by the Air Force Special Operations Command and the U.S. Special Operations Command to purchase U-28As demonstrates commanders believe they need new airlift options, officials said. Some members of the Air Force special operations community have questioned using sophisticated and costly MC-130 Combat Talons to ferry special operations personnel on flights that don’t require the Talon’s low-level or night-flying capabilities. It was on just such a mission in December 2004 that an MC-130H Talon II landed on top of an unmarked runway construction site in Iraq, destroying the $85 million aircraft. When AFSOC C-130s weren’t available, special operators had to request permission to fly on conventional Air Force and Army aircraft or contractor-operated planes. With the addition of the low-cost U-28A, special operators have a unit and aircraft focused on the intratheater airlift mission, D’Argenio said. The 319th will have eight airplanes and number about 45 airmen, including 34 pilots, the commander said. The other troops will primarily be life support and administrative airmen. The squadron won’t have a maintenance staff. Contractors will handle the day-to-day upkeep of the single-engine U-28As. The unit may be flying operational missions by February, D’Argenio said. The squadron was formally reactivated Oct. 12. The unit traces it lineage to one of the original Air Force special operations units, the 319th Troop Carrier Squadron that fought in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II. At Hurlburt, the new 319th will fall under the 16th Special Operations Wing’s chain of command. As the modern squadron spins up, the initial cadre of pilots is coming to the U-28A after flying tours in other Air Force aircraft, the commander said. A majority of the pilots will have experience in special operations C-130 cockpits. Each U-28A will fly with a crew of two pilots. The pilots will get their U-28A qualification at Hurlburt, where the squadron has two leased aircraft for training. Overseas missions Most of the squadrons’ operational flights are expected to be flown overseas in support of special operations missions in nations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. For operational missions, U.S. Special Operations Command is buying six U-28As at a base cost of about $3.5 million each from the Swiss company Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. The planes will then be customized with specialized navigation gear and weather radar. Except for the avionics upgrades, the U-28A’s basic design is the same as the PC-12, according to aircraft fact sheets. Depending on how the U-28A’s interior is configured, the aircraft can carry up to nine passengers, or about 3,000 pounds of cargo if passenger seats are removed. The Pilatus plane was chosen ahead of other small, rugged transports because the interior can be pressurized and it has superior range and endurance compared to twin-engine counterparts, D’Argenio said. The Air Force gave the aircraft a “U” designation to signify its “utilitarian” mission. Other Air Force special operations transports, such as the MC-130E, fly with the “M” designation for special operations. A different version of the PC-12 is flown by the U.S. Border Patrol for reconnaissance assignments. The airplane is also popular with governments and private firms that need an aircraft able to take off and land on short or unpaved runways. The standup of the 319th comes at the same time the Army and Air Force are taking the first steps toward buying a small transport plane that would be about half the size of a C-130 Hercules. The U-28A won’t be part of that debate because the U-28A is too small and lacks a rear cargo ramp.

Where's a U-2 Pilot when you need'm? Oh yeah, I forgot, they actually have a job to do.

"The flak shell with your name on it isn't the one to fear...it's all those addressed: "To Whom It May Concern" that you need to worry about." BUCK FUTTER!

Toro, did I read that right? You didn't even get a chance to fire a single missile?! Holy shnikes! Did you even get a chance to visually aquire them? (I understand that last question might be in the "where are your troops and my I go there and count them" catigory...but you must understand...I HAD to ask!) The second question: Do you think the ROE allowed for a realistic engagement? From what I understand, sometimes they tie your hands behind your back and then act surprised when you get your a$$ handed to you so their plane can look even better. [ 04. October 2005, 15:17: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

Two words: Incentive Ride I'm no expert, but seeing as you've got immediate family in the military and you're questioning possibility of an aviation career, you could probably get an incentive ride from somebody. I was lucky enough to get 2 rides: F-16 BFM, and MH-60 on NVGs. Those rides convinced me that while fighters are fun, I wanted to fly something low, slow, and dirty...and here I am. I never would have known that without those rides. I'm sure it would help you in you decision. I'm sure some of the more experienced guys on the forum can advise you better on your chances and how to make it happen. Good luck!

OK...I know we're trying to fight tomorrow's war and be ready for the future...and the F-22 is an awesome tool for that. But are we supposed to be ignoring the war that we're fighting today so we can fund the war we might fight tomorrow? I just notice how much the F-22 and the F-35 are doing for us in Iraq and Afghanistan and I wonder if there might be a better use for that money...such as more C-17s and maybe some C-130's that aren't broken...you know, that planes that are ACTUALLY doing things in theater. Thoughts?

HH-60: Yes, I was talking from the experience I had at Corpus as a student, but also from what the IPs told me as well. Obviously, I'm not in the Navy so I don't have a good vantage point to speak from. What really looked bad to me was the career progression. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounded like after your first tour as an aviator in the fleet, you are required to do a surface (non-flying) tour, then an instructor tour, then if you're lucky, you get to go back to the fleet to fly operationally. If that's right, it that just does seem like a good development track to get experienced aviators, IMHO. Please fill in all the blanks I left open (sts).

You haven't met many C model drivers have you...

I believe kenblankenship may have some experience with those guys, he was poking around (sts) for housing up here this weekend.

I've been hunting for info, but no success. Any word if they'll be letting slick pilots crosstrain into the program? Just trying to get some lead on the options.

It's not exactly near the base, but Riverwalk Apartments has worked out really well for me. Clincher is the large pet welcome policy. A 55 lb dog didn't really thrill most of the other apartment complexes. Other up sides are you're less than 5 minutes from downtown and you're within stumbling distance of Cajun's Wharf (one of the best watering holes around). You've also got a couple of pools in the complex. Only real downside is the 20-30 minute drive that can easily turn into 45 due to the completely clueless (no exaggeration) drivers in this state. Thankfully, most of the time you're driving against the heavy flow of traffic, and the bad drivers are going the other way. Honestly, if you're flying completely solo, I'd recommend closer to the base. Good Luck PS, apartment's don't come furnished, but the rental stuff is easily afforded. [ 29. July 2005, 22:57: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

outfreakin'standing!

I'd love to power her car...if she doesn't mind scraping the "gas" off her windshield.

Two questions: How does this new thang stack up against the marines new H-53? Why didn't we just by the new 53 to replace our 53s? Seems like a good match seeing we already know how to use it, whereas we need to develop new tactics for the Osprey.

I know that I wanted to fly ever since I got to ride along with my dad while he was taking PPL lessons. We were just doing patterns one day when an Eagle showed up and blew by us for a few patterns. On top of that, for as long as I can remember my family has been going to air shows (Battle Creek and Muskegon in Michigan mostly). On more than one occasion my parents had to come and find me while I was completely engrossed looking at the military static displays. KC135: Yes, I would give my left nut to fly von Richthofen's Fokker. [ 17. July 2005, 12:14: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

Ok...kinda weak, but I'll add what little I've got... Just a little something for the Corpus dudes... Guess where I took this... Ok, so I didn't take it...but it's still kinda neat...look closely at the bottom right over the dash...you won't see a picture like this again. While we're posting pictures...anyone know this guy? Because this is the book cover he's on... [ 13. July 2005, 01:24: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

You're absolutely right! Learn about flying through words. There is no question you can ask that either A: is so important in nature it must be answered anytime in the next year, or B: hasn't already been asked and answered already on the forum. Moral: Read and don't post...use the search function! edit: the comment about questions applies to you high school sophmores and such...no offense, but you've got more important questions to face at this juncture in life. Now I'll shut up and go back to learning too... [ 10. July 2005, 23:16: Message edited by: FourFans130 ]

If your dad is a grad and you're asking whether or not you should go to the zoo, go ROTC. The Academy is one that takes a desire to be there because it is in fact a challenge to stay there. It's kind of like a pilot slot; if you're not sure you want to go, don't do it because there'll be someone who actually wants to be there who won't get a spot if you take it. On the other hand, if you want a real challenge that will really change you, a career in the Air Force, and a great paid for degree, go USAFA.

Why are the streets of Paris lined with trees? Because the Germans like to march in the shade.

So Beaver, how's the PIC time on the M-4? Do you get to stay on flight status when you ride in the back of a C-130/C-17?